Key



E. WESTBERG.

KEY.

APPLICATION FILED APR.29, 1919.

Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

137143124 01 15786 Msfie y W illarnq/ UNITED STATES PATENT oEEro ELISE WESTBERG, 0F TRONDHJ'EM, NORWAY, ASSIGNOR TO HALFDAN NORLOFF.

DRAMMEN NORWAY.

KEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

Application filed April 29, 1919. Serial No. 293,564.

and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in keys; and its object, stated brlefly, is the provision of a key having its bow portion formed with an integral strengthening rib which is disposed parallel to the major axis of the bow and is located at the junction of the latter and the shank, so as to prevent the bow from twisting relatively to the shank when the key is turned. This rib extends transversely of the shank and is of suflicient height to project into the open portion of the bow; and its free edge is made somewhat thinner than the bow itself in order that it may be utilized 'as a bottle-cap remover, the portion of the bow opposite the rib serving as the fulcrum about which the key .is rocked during the cap-removing operation.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are, respectively, a face view and a part'sectional side or edge view of one form of the improved key;

Fig. 3 is a face view of a slightly-modified form of bow having the invention applied thereto; and

Fig. 1 is a face view of a different type of key equipped with the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 2 indicates the bow of the key, and 3 the shank, the latter having the usual bit or bits for co-action with the lock tumblers. In the construction represented in Figs. 1 and 2, the bow has the form of alarge, substantially-elliptical loop, the underside of which is joined to the end ofthe shank, and the major axis of which is disposed at right angles to the shank.

The strengthening projection or rib 1 is formed integral with the lower side of the bow, and is located at the junction of that side with the shank. It extends parallel to the major axis of the elliptical bow and, hence, transversely to the axis of the shank; and its height is such that it projects an appreciable distance into the open portion i of the bow. As shown in Fig. 2, its thickness is muclnwless than that of the bow; and by reason of that fact and of its arrangement as above described, it can readily be utilized, in conjunction with the opposite 5 portion of the bow and with the shank, to effect the removal of metal bottle caps in the usual way, the portion of the bow just mentioned forming the fulcrum about which the device is rocked during the course of the operation, while the shank serves as the handle.

In consequence of the formation of the rib, it will be seen that the key is strengthened at the junction of its bow and shank portions and, hence, is not apt to break at that point during manipulation, nor even to twist or bend.

The key represented in Fig. 3 is of the same general type as that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2; but its bow portion is more nearly circular than elliptical, and is formed with an intermediate cross-piece 2 which is parallel with the major axis, or equivalent diameter of the bow, and with the strengthening rib or projection 1. This cross-piece serves as an additional strengthening means for the bow; and as it is spaced from the upper or outer side of the bow, an opening will be defined between said side and the cross-piece to facilitate the attachment of the key to a key ring. This last result is also obtained with the key illustrated in Fig. i, which is of the flat type, by forming an opening 4 through the upper portion of the bow.

The operation with respect to the constructions shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is the same as that described above in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, and requires no further explanation.

I claim:

1. A key comprising in combination a shank having tumbler-engaging bits thereon; a relatively-large, substantially elliptical bow integrally connected to one end of the shank and having its major axis disposed transversely to the axis of the shank; and a strengthening rib distinct from the bow, formed integral with said bow at its junction with said shank and disposed parallel to the major axis of the bow, so as to prevent the bow from twisting or bending relatively to the shank during the manipulation of the key; said rib projecting into the bow opening and having its free edge formed to constitute a bottle-cap removing member.

2. A key comprising in combination a shank having tumbler-engaging bits thereon; a relatively large, substantially elliptical bow integrally connected to one end of the shank and having its major axis disposed transversely to the axis of the shank; a strengthening rib, distinct from the bow, formed integral with said bow at its junction with said shank and disposed parallel to the major axis of the bow, so as to prevent the bow from twisting or bending relatively to the shank during the manipulation of the key, said rib projecting into the bow opening and having its free edge formed to constitute a bottle-cap removing member; and a supplemental strengthening member extending transversely across the bow and integrally connected thereto at its ends; said supplemental strengthening member being disposed substantially parallel with said rib and spaced therefrom and from the opposite side of the bow to define an opening to permit the attachment of the key to a key ring.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ELISE WESTBERG.

Witnesses L. WESTBERG, G. P. SiiRENSEN. 

